This course is a logical extension of the solid state physics course lectured in the previous quarter. Surface physics is currently an important branch of fundamental research in physics, chemistry and materials science and plays an important role in many applications. Pauli once said: "God made the bulk; the surface was invented by the devil."  In this introductory lecture, we will focus on the changes, new effects, and complications as we cut the (ideally infinite) bulk crystal to introduce a surface.
For this, we will also learn how to basically characterize and describe surfaces structurally as well as electronically, and we will get to know various experimental techniques to prepare and investigate surfaces. This will be supplemented by sneak previews into state-of-the-art research in the field.